Farmers in Sariakandi upazila of Bogra have produced and sold jute worth nearly Tk 134 crore this season, benefiting from favourable weather, a sharp increase in cultivation and better market prices.
According to the Sariakandi Upazila Agriculture Office, jute was cultivated on 5,055 hectares this year against a target of 3,105 hectares. Production reached 14,098 tonnes.
Based on the minimum market price of Tk 3,800 per maund, the total value of this year's production is estimated at Tk 133.93 crore, the agriculture office said.
Sariakandi has long been a major jute-growing area. The upazila's sandy loam soil, formed by the Jamuna and Bangali river systems, is considered highly suitable for jute cultivation.
Farmers had reduced jute cultivation in recent years due to falling prices and rising labour costs. However, improved prices last year encouraged them to expand cultivation this season.
Jute is currently being sold at between Tk 3,800 and Tk 4,300 per maund. Farmers are also earning additional income by selling jute sticks after keeping a portion for household fuel.
Abu Sayeed, a jute farmer from Kuripara village in Kajla Union, said he doubled the area under jute cultivation this year after making a profit last season.
“Last year, I sold jute for up to Tk 3,500 per maund. This year, I harvested an average of 11 maunds per bigha and sold the jute for Tk 4,100 per maund,” he said.
He said selling the surplus jute sticks after keeping enough for household use had provided him with additional income.
Sunil Kumar Pramanik, a jute trader in Sariakandi municipality, said traders bought jute for up to Tk 3,600 per maund during last year's harvesting season.
“Outside the harvesting season, the price rose to as high as Tk 5,500 per maund. This year, we have purchased jute at between Tk 3,600 and Tk 4,300 per maund,” he said.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah, agriculture officer of Sariakandi Upazila, said favourable weather had contributed to the bumper yield.
“The soil in Sariakandi is highly suitable for jute cultivation. With support from the agriculture office, farmers cultivated jute on a much larger area this year, and the yield was also good,” he said.
He said farmers were making good profits as jute prices had remained higher than in previous years.
“We hope jute cultivation will increase further in the coming years,” he added.